Dear Bicycle Retailer,

We recently discovered a manufacturing defect that may affect some of our Salsa CroMoto SUL threadless and quill stems. To date we have received two reports of a stem breaking in use. One rider crashed and suffered a broken wrist. We are cooperating with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in this recall, and a nationwide press release will be issued very soon alerting consumers to this safety issue.

These stems were painted to match and included as original equipment on the following complete Salsa La Cruz, Casseroll Singlespeed, Casseroll Triple, El Mariachi, and Ala Carte bicycles sold by QBP from November 5, 2007 to December 31, 2008 (QBP Part Numbers BK0050 to BK0081).

The recall also includes both road and mountain aftermarket stems in all extensions and rises, except the 60mm, 70mm and 80mm extension lengths. Aftermarket stems were painted black and were sold from March 31, 2008 to December 31, 2008. The affected QBP stem part numbers are: SM0001 through SM0028.

If you have any of these affected stems or bicycles in your store, please do not sell them. A copy of our Recall Procedures is enclosed and this information will also be available on www.salsacromotostem.com and QBP.com. We have also included a consumer poster that can be displayed in your shop. Because production of these stems has been suspended, exact replacements are not available at this time. QBP will therefore provide a $65 credit to your store to enable consumers to purchase a comparable stem. Stems returned by consumers should be returned to QBP using our RM process.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause you or your customers, and sincerely appreciate your cooperation with our recall effort. If you have any questions about the recall or need to request a credit or make a return, please call 877-774-6208 for assistance.

Sincerely,
Jason Boucher
Salsa Brand Manager
Quality Bicycle Products, Inc.

Consumer Package Includes Over $450 of Product for $220!

Rudy Project will officially launch the “Rudy Project Gear Deal” - their most daring and innovative promotion to date - in March 2009. This promotion will give dealers the opportunity to offer a $220 package that holds over $450 in value, making it an irresistible deal for consumers in today’s economy.

“When I first proposed the idea of the ‘Rudy Project Gear Deal’ to friends and co-workers, their initial reaction was that it is an incredible deal, but too good to be true,” exclaimed Paul Craig, President and Co-Founder of Rudy Project North America. “That’s the idea! I wanted to create something that was too good to pass up and create excitement in the industry, given today’s economic climate. I believe the ‘Rudy Project Gear Deal’ is the best deal out there and will give everyone the opportunity to utilize the best eyewear and helmets on the market and get people walking into dealers asking for Rudy Project.”

With the intention to make this promotion viral among consumers, Rudy Project will be placing millions of four-page inserts in massive consumer magazines like Bicycling, VeloNews, BIKE and countless regional athletic papers including those within the National Sports Network. So, not only will consumer buzz be created at the grassroots level, but also through key advertisements within the largest recreation and competition publications in the industry.

The “Rudy Project Gear Deal” will surely prove to be infectious among all consumers, athletic or not. Here’s how it works: for $220 the customer selects their favorite Rudy Project sunglass offered in the deal (choices are: Rydon, Rydon II, Noyz, Zyon, Sportmask Performance, Kerosene, Horus & Ekynox SX), they choose an additional set of core lenses (Sportmask Performance excluded), a NEW 2009 Slinger helmet and a t-shirt. In addition, this package also includes a Rudy Project bag, hat and neck-cord, to boot. Certain to be a crowd-pleaser, the “Rudy Project Gear Deal” is expected to multiply dealer sales by two or three times while increasing traffic into stores. With the amount of Rudy Project-branded gear included in this package, the athletic communities surrounding participating dealers will quickly become seeded with the words “Rudy Project” and have people coming to dealers asking for the brand and/or the promotion.

“Late last season, as the economic news was getting progressively bleak, every customer walking through our door was asking ‘Where’s the recession deal?’. Outside of your typical late-season clearance, there really wasn’t anything jaw-dropping to offer,” said David “Jake” Jacobson, Sales Manager of Turin Bicycles Ltd. in Denver, Colorado. “When my Rudy Project rep came by and told me about this promo, I was ready to sign the dotted line because the ‘Rudy Project Gear Deal’ is not only going to get people excited to buy, it will create traffic when there is no traffic to be had.”

Retailers interested in offering this promotion in their stores or to find out how to become a Rudy Project Authorized Dealer, go towww.rudyprojectusa.com/geardeal or please contact Rob at 949.272.2460 or rob@rudyprojectusa.com.

About Rudy Project
Rudy Project designs and manufactures hi-tech sunglasses, goggles and helmets by applying the most advanced science, materials engineering and computer technology. Designed and produced in Italy, Rudy Project glasses have been distributed throughout the United States and Canada since 1998. We are known for providing the absolute best RX solutions for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. In addition to our unparalleled customer service standards, we pride ourselves on always being on the cutting edge of technological innovations for all of our products. Rudy Project uses two superior lens technologies: RP Optics™ and ImpactX™. Because our lenses are so durable, we offer the Replacement Lens Guarantee (RLG) - if a customer ever scratches our Rudy Project lenses, for whatever reason, they can replace the lenses for a nominal shipping & handling fee of $19.95. The leader in eyewear and helmets for cycling, triathlon, skiing, golf and tennis, Rudy Project has been a proud sponsor of many organizations including USATriathlon, U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Ski Patrol. Rudy Project has received countless prestigious awards including WIRED magazine’s “Gadget Lab Top Pick” (Horus frame), Outside magazine’s “Gear of the Year” award (2008 Zyon/ImpactX Photo Polarized and 2003 Maskeryna frames) and Men’s Journal’s “Breakthrough Award” and “Timeless Design Award” (Ketyum frame/Syton Supercomp TT Helmet). Rudy Project eyewear ranges from $140 - $350 (Helmets from $100-$300) and is available at premier cycling and sporting goods stores and eye care professionals throughout the U.S. and abroad. With men’s and women’s collections and a vast range of options, from high performance sport styles to fashionable frames for everyday wear, Rudy Project has something for everyone.

For more information, visit www.rudyprojectusa.com

Photo Caption: Building upon a strong mountain biking tradition, the Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain in New York will serve as the fourth stop on the ProGRT and is the only race to play host to both ProGRT and ProXCT events in 2009.

*Photo courtesy Windham Mountain

2009 USA Cycling Pro Gravity Mountain Bike Tour unveiled

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Feb. 25, 2009)—USA Cycling announced today the creation of a new professional gravity mountain bike series designed to recognize the top gravity racers in America. The USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Gravity Tour (ProGRT) will consist of five events, including three UCI-sanctioned races, throughout the United States. Together, these races will provide world-class athletes with a consistent stage to showcase their downhill and 4-Cross skills.

Beginning in May of 2009, the ProGRT will visit four states and offer series ranking points to top finishers, resulting in overall individual titles for men and women. In addition, competitors will also have the opportunity to accumulate international ranking points as three of the five races are inscripted on the UCI calendar.

The series opens with the downhill contest at the Fluidride Cup in Port Angeles, Wash., May 1-3 and then heads south to the Chile Challenge in New Mexico where both the downhill and 4-Cross contests will be a part of the ProGRT. The tour then picks back up on Aug. 8 with both the downhill and 4-Cross at the Blast the Mass in Snowmass, Colo. The following weekend, the ProGRT moves east to the Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain, the only race on both the Pro Cross Country Tour (ProXCT) and ProGRT. Wrapping up the tour will be the Whiteface 5K Downhill in Wilmington, N.Y. on Aug. 29.

“The Whiteface Mountain Bike Park is honored to be part of the Pro Gravity Tour. Five of the premier venues in the U.S. have been chosen for this historical series that will surely last for generations,” said Downhill Mike, promoter of the Whiteface 5K Downhill. “It is only fitting to be the last race on the tour with our eight-minute downhill track as racers should be in their best condition of the season by late August. The Lake Placid/Whiteface region has hosted two Winter Olympics (1932 & 1980) and has attracted numerous top athletes of all kinds ever since. The time has now come to bring a new breed of world class athletes to Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid. Welcome Pro Gravity Tour.”

The objectives of the inaugural USA Cycling Pro GRT are to provide a sequence of international-caliber events for elite gravity racers, to recognize the best gravity athletes competing on U.S. soil, to spotlight America’s top races that have made a commitment to host high-level events and ultimately to raise the level of competitive gravity racing in the U.S.

“With the development of the ProGRT we were looking to showcase the country’s strongest gravity venues,” said USA Cycling Mountain Bike Events and Program Director Kelli Lusk. “We want to bring the elite riders together to compete against the best on the country’s top courses and ultimately crown the season’s preeminent gravity riders.”

2009 USA Cycling Pro Gravity MTB Tour (Pro GRT):

May 1-3: Fluidride Cup – Port Angeles, Wash. (DH $5,000 purse)

May 23-25: Chile Challenge – Angel Fire, N.M. (DH and 4-Cross UCI category 2)

Aug. 8-9: Blast the Mass – Snowmass, Colo. (DH and 4-Cross UCI category 2)

August 15-16: Yankee Clipper at Windham Mountain – Windham, N.Y. (DH and 4-Cross UCI category 1)

August 29: Whiteface 5K (DH) – Wilmington, N.Y. (DH $5,000 purse)

About USA Cycling

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization and sanctioning body, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ members, including 57,000 competitive cyclists, 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 350 professional cyclists, and 200 certified mechanics. USA Cycling also sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive organized cycling events throughout the United States annually, as well as 1,800 clubs and teams. Associations of USA Cycling include the United States Cycling Federation (road, track & cyclo-cross), the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), the BMX Association, the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the United States Professional Racing Organization. USA Cycling is also responsible for the identification, development, support and promotion of American cyclists through various athletic initiatives and programs including the USA Cycling National Development Team, the USA Cycling Women’s National Team, the USA Cycling Junior Development Team, Talent Identification and Regional Development Camps, domestic and international race calendars, direct athlete funding and support programs, and educational camps and seminars. USA Cycling also fields and supports U.S. National Teams for various international events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, Continental Championship and World Cups across all levels and disciplines of competitive cycling. USA cycling further supports grass roots and locally-based initiatives through its 32 Local Associations and comprehensive network of licensed and certified coaches and officials. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts National Championship events for amateur and professional cyclists, awarding more than 600 national titles annually to men and women in junior, U23, masters, elite, professional and paralympic categories throughout the various disciplines of competitive cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org. For media-related or general inquiries, please contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867 or alee@usacycling.org.

BIKE EXPO – Cycling Trends for City and Nature

• Premiere of Bike Expo in late July 2009
• Preview of the latest bicycle trends
• Public exposition with industry visitor preview days
• More than 8 million consumers in Munich and vicinity

BIKE EXPO presented by Messe München GmbH from July 23rd – 26th, 2009 is a new, comprehensive platform for the bicycle market at the New Munich Trade Fair. With the theme “Cycling Trends for City and Nature” BIKE EXPO offers the latest trends from the bicycle industry. The concept includes industry visitor preview days followed by a public exposition. The exhibition space is designed particularly with industry professionals in mind, and divided into the subjects of E- and City-Bikes as well as Fashion and Components. Dirt- and MTB-Bike oriented consumers will find a specially designated exhibition in the outdoor and demonstration areas, complete with several extensive side event highlights, as well as a public cycling race through Munich’s East End.

BIKE EXPO is organized by Messe München GmbH’s Consumer Goods Business Unit, which is also responsible for a number of sports platforms, such as ispo winter, ispo china or the Running Order Show. This team is assisted by competent partners, such as PLAN B – organizer of the Sympatex BIKE Festival in Riva del Garda and Willingen, as well as the multi-leg mountain bike races Transalp and Trans Germany – will coordinate the side event program and outdoor expo, as well as service the mountain bike exhibitors in this area. Bike-event experts rasoulution organize the cycling scene get-together in the outdoor areas complete with mountain bike and BMX dirt jump contests, as well as an extensive evening program including DJ sets and live music. Last but not least, the sports marketing agency runabout will hold the ‘Velonale’, a 20-kilometer bike race for everyone on Sunday, July 26th, 2009, on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair, as well as a timed race for more ambitious cyclists.

Munich, a true cycling city, is predestined for a trade show with focus on cycling. The city lives and breathes the new bike culture: in addition to a well-established network of bike paths, the city and its outskirts also offer a multitude of bike trails for all disciplines and skill levels. Furthermore, Munich is the perfect trade show location thanks to its state-of-the-art exhibition center, optimal infrastructure, and extensive selection of accommodations in all hotel categories.

Industry Statements:

“The concept of a bike exposition, early in the year and focused on consumers is convincing. On one hand it accommodates our production cycle, and on the other hand we enjoy the contact to consumers. They provide us with direct feedback to our current designs.” (Peter Räuber, Maloja)

“The top trends for the near future are clearly e-bikes and dirt bikes. It’s great that Munich now offers the right platform these segments deserve,” (Thomas Buhler, Owner Radsport Buhler)

For more information, please visit: www.bike-expo.com

source: rasoulution

Trenton, NJ - February 23, 2009 - - Dana Carson has been promoted to Managing Director of Hutchinson Tire North America. After spending a year as Aftermarket Sales Manager, Carson now assumes responsibility for the expansion of Hutchinson’s bicycle tire division.

“I’m honored to take the helm of a company that develops the most cutting edge bicycle tires in the world,” states Carson. “With rapidly expanding sales of our Road Tubeless technology, seven Tour de France Victories in the last ten years, and World Cup, World Champ and Olympic winning mountain bike designs in our lineup, we’re taking this great brand to new heights.”

STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS AND STREAMLINING DISTRIBUTION
Carson brings a wide and varied resume that is helping to maximize Hutchinsons’ market share. Starting as a road racer from Southern California, Dana worked in bicycle shops as a kid, ran the custom bike build program at Performance Bike in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and eventually ran his own Sales agency representing Bianchi, Sinclair Imports and Hincapie Sports.
Since being hired in January of 2008, Dana has made it his mission to provide distributors, dealers and ultimately consumers with the best bicycle tires on the market - Hutchinson.

About Hutchinson
Hiram Hutchinson, an American expatriate, founded Hutchinson in France in 1853 and began producing bicycle tires in 1890. Starting with the first of Louison Bobet’s three Tour de France victories in 1951, legends from Jacques Anquetil to Anne-Caroline Chausson, Nicolas Vouilloz, the Seven-Time Tour de France winning Postal/Discovery Team and current Olympic and multi-time World Champion Julien Absalon have proven the superiority of Hutchinson tire technology.

Hutchinson http://www.hutchinson-pneus.com/en/

<!– –> MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RE-TOOLED FOR 2009; MACE GEAR LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Vancouver, BC, February 24, 2009: Mace Performance Gear, a rider-driven Vancouver-based mountain bike clothing and gear company, has been taken to the next level for the 2009 season. Officially launching their new website today there is a lot to see of this casually stylish brand. Combining street, skate and surf styles with innovative technical fabrics -including UV protection, water-repellant coatings and bamboo-charcoal wicking agents - the new line of gear brings functional and technical features to style-driven clothing. Rob Gill, Mace product designer, explains the brands direction for this year: “For the 2009 collection, we really focused on fusing environmental fabrics with a strong fashion element; the line was inspired by vintage fabrics, street themes, natural elements and rider feedback.” As a rider-driven brand, the team has a great deal of input in the function and style of the Mace brand. The team lineup for 2009 includes three phenomenal riders: Dylan Korba, Jay Hoots and Ryan Leech. Each rider presents a unique style and character for the brand, and is a positive, energetic advocate for the cycling community. “The team is integral to our product development process and collaborate heavily to help design cycling gear that is a reflection of real life needs of mountain bikers,” said Gill. The new website is live now and presents a progression in the identity of this rider-driven brand. It is visually captivating while presenting the Mace product in an easy-to-access way that highlights the brand’s unique offering. “We subdivided the line into three distinct rider groups: Epic/All Mountain, Slopestyle/Gravity and Dirt Jump; this really enabled us to focus on our key consumers and give them exactly what they want,” says Gill. With rider profiles and recommendations and an excellent navigation layout, the website is as unique as the brand. Learn about everything that’s new at Mace by going to www.macegear.com. -30- About Mace Mace is a Vancouver-based mountain bike clothing and gear company. A rider-driven company, Mace strives to provide gear with technically innovative materials and construction that combines street, skate and surf styles for highly functional, style driven clothing. For a JPG of the above image click here Image Information: Mace Team Rider: Jay Hoots        Location: Blue River, BC                Photographer: Derek Vanderkooy

source: Cadeyrn Craig

After weeks of closed-door meetings, dozens of skype calls, and death
threats if the word leaks out, Evil Bikes and MS-Racing jointly
announce the formation of an all-new UCI Trade Team for 2009.  The new
Evil Bikes/MS-Racing Team combines the upstart Evil brand with the
World Cup winning success of MS-Racing’s management.

The team roster is a mix of young talent and experienced podium riders
who have been selected to represent Evil in the company’s launch onto
the World Cup scene.

Leading off is 19-year old Canadian Stevie Smith.  Steve joined Evil
at the New Year and since then has been the envy of every grom on
internet bike forums by being one of the select few who have been
putting in runs on the new Revolt downhill frame.  The Vancouver
Island pinner is looking to follow-up on his breakout ’08 year in the
Elite field and hopes to step onto a World Cup podium this season for
Evil Bikes/MS-Racing.

Another new addition to MS-Racing’s roster is Filip Polc.  While Filip
might not be a household name in North America, the 26-year old
Slovakian rider has been turning in solid results for many seasons on
the World Cup circuit.  The Polcster is a rarity these days in that he
competes in World Cup downhill and 4X events as well as the occasional
Mega Avalanche event.  Piloting the new Evil Faction frames in 4X
events, Filip is looking to jump back into the podium mix for ’09.

Returning to the MS-Racing Team for a second season is 24-year old
downhill ace Matti Lehikoinen.  The Fin brings a strong resume to the
program with two World Cup wins under his belt and a 2007 World Cup
2nd Overall ranking.  Coming off a bit of a tough 2008 season, that
began with broken vertebrae and ended with both wrists broken, Matti
has been rehabilitating and preparing for the 2009 campaign at the Red
Bull Training Center in Austria.  Getting up and coming back like that
is pure Evil spirit!

In the team’s quest for World supremacy expect no prisoners to be
taken, lots of ladies’ hearts to be broken, and a whole load of riding
to go down.  Evil Bikes/MS-Racing will kick the season off in South
Africa for round 1 of the UCI World Cup Series.  This will be the
first World Cup race of the new Evil Revolt downhill and Faction
hardtail frames. The team will contest the UCI World Cup Series, the
World Championships, the US Open, and other select international
mountain bike events.

Team Director Markus Stöckl commented; “MS-Racing has been working on
building of our vision of a mountain bike team for almost 5 years and
we have worked with a couple of partners in the past.  After we won
the 4X team overall and women’s 4X overall title in 2008 we felt
stagnant somehow and knew it was time for a change; new partners, new
visions and new input.  Evil Bikes is a new company but with experts
behind the scenes who have been influencing mountain biking for a
while now.  From our first meeting I knew they shared the same passion
and vision for the sport that is needed to build a successful team.”

Team Manager Lukas Haider echoed the big boss’ words and added, “From
my side it is a great opportunity to work with Evil, not just to be
the first team to race Dave Weagle’s new Delta System, but also
because the people who are working behind the scene of Evil are as
passionate as we are.  I am really looking forward to work with all
the people at Evil Bikes and the new crew of riders in ‘09.”

Evil Owner Kevin Walsh commented; “From the moment I picked up the
giant Austrian at the Seattle airport, Markus and I hit it off, the
Austrian Schnapps and fine chocolate certainly helped though!  It is
pretty rare to find highly motivated, like-minded people and
organizations that truly share the same ideals and can have fun doing
it.  We are like a bad 80’s mullet haircut, business in the front and
party in the back!  We are excited to partner with MS-Racing and
continue to support World Cup mountain bike racing and help grow the
sport globally.  This is nothing shy of a dream come true, a Slayer
tour bus, filled with a rogue team of amazing athletes, ambassadors,
friends, personalities and creative thinkers that are going to make
some serious change at every stop!”

Evil Bikes/MS-Racing will compete on Evil Revolt frames for downhill
and Faction hardtail frames for 4X.  Other team sponsors and suppliers
include Gravity, Fox Racing Shox, Formula Brake, e.thirteen
Components, Mavic, crankbrothers, ITS, WTB, and ODI.

Check out evil-bikes.com & ms-racing.at for updates!

source: Eric Schutt

www.ausbikeaustralia.com.au

source: Ausbike Australia